Monday, December 31, 2012

The Union Public Service Commission will be conducting the Special Class Railway Apprentices’ Examination, 2013 on 20.01.2013 at various centres all over India as per notification. E-Admission Certificates are available on the Commission’s website http://www.upsc.gov.in. Candidates are advised to download and check their e-Admission Certificates carefully and bring discrepancy, if any, to the notice of the Commission immediately.

Rejection letters citing the ground(s) for rejection have been issued through e-mails or speed post and also put on the Union Public Service Commission website http://www.upsc.gov.in. In case any difficulty faced by the candidates in downloading e-Admission Certificates, they may contact the UPSC Facilitation Counter on Telephone Nos. 011-23385271, 011-23381125 and 011-23098543 on any working day between 10.00 AM and 5.00 PM. The candidates can also send Fax message on Fax No. 011-23387310. No Admission Certificate will be sent by post.

On the basis of the result of the written part of the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II) 2012 held by the Union Public Service Commission on 19th August, 2012, candidates with the under mentioned Roll Nos. have qualified for Interview by the Services Selection Board of the Ministry of Defence for admission to Army, Navy and Air Force Wings of the National Defence Academy for the 130th Course and for the 92nd Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC) commencing from July, 2013.

2. The candidature of all the candidates whose Roll Nos. are shown in the list is provisional. In accordance with the conditions of their admission to the examination, they are required to submit original certificates of Age and Educational Qualification direct to the “Additional Directorate General of Recruiting, Adjutant General’s Branch, Integrated Headquarters, Ministry of Defence (Army), West Block No.-III, Wing No.–I, R.K. Puram, New Delhi-110066”. The candidates must not send the Original Certificates to the Union Public Service Commission. For any further information, the candidates may contact Facilitation Counter near Gate “C” of the Commission, either in person or on telephone Nos. 011-23385271/011-23381125/011-23098543 between 10:00 hours and 17:00 hours on any working day. The result is also available at Union Public Service Commission’s website http:// www.upsc.gov.in.

The All-India CPI-IW for November, 2012 rose by 1 point and pegged at 218 (two hundred and eighteen). On 1-month percentage change, it increased by 0.46 per cent between October and November compared with 0.51 per cent between the same two months a year ago.

The largest upward contribution to the change in current index came from food items which increased by 0.86 per cent, contributing 1.01 percentage points to the total change. At item level, largest upward pressure came from Rice, Wheat Atta, Goat Meat, Milk, Onion, Potato, Tea (readymade), Snack Saltish, etc. The other items like Cooking Gas, Medicine (Allopathic), Bus Fare, Auto Rickshaw Fare, Flower/Flower Garlands, Tailoring Charges, etc. also put upward pressure in total change.

Saturday, December 29, 2012

If your child studies in a Kendriya Vidyalaya, be prepared for a steep hike in school fee. The Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan's board of governors, which is meeting on Friday, is likely to clear a three-fold hike in fees.

The meeting of the board of governors, expected to be chaired by HRD minister M M Pallam Raju, may also finalize a new logo for the 1,090 KV schools across the country with almost 11 lakh students.

The annual fee charged from KV students is in the range of Rs 3,600-Rs 4,800. This is likely to be raised to about Rs 12,000 for a year. The monthly fee will go up from about Rs 300 a month to around Rs 1,250. The last fee hike took place in 2009.

Sources said the KV Sangathan spends about Rs 12,000 per child in providing free textbooks, uniform and other facilities. During 2011-12, the sangathan spent about Rs 392 crore while for the next academic session an additional Rs 100 crore is likely to be required to provide students with medical services, faculty, security, sports equipment, construction work for additional facilities and setting up of e-classrooms.

Subject:- Extension of the revised orders on encashment of Earned Leave and Half Pay Leave to industrial employees.

The undersigned is directed to state that the matter regarding extension of revised orders on encashment of Earned Leave and Half Pay Leave to industrial employees at par with the non industrial Central Government employees covered by the CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972 has been under consideration of this Department. It has been decided in consultation with the Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure) to extend the provision of this Department’s OM No. 14028/3/2008-Estt.(L) dated 25th September 2008, mutatis mutandis to industrial employees of Ministries/Department other than Railways. Accordingly, industrial employees shall be entitled to encash both Earned Leave and Half Pay Leave, subject to overall limit of 300. Cash equivalent payable for Earned Leave shall continue unchanged.

General Pay Revision-Fixation of Pay in the revised scales-No adherence-further orders issued.

FINANCE (PRC-C) DEPARTMENT

G.O.(P)No.690/2012/Fin.

Dated, Thiruvananthapuram, 17th December 2012.

ORDER

In all General Pay Revision Orders, rules of fixation of pay along with conditions to exercise option to come over to the revised scale of pay with effect from the date of effect of concerned pay revision or with effect from any subsequent date that an employee opts have been clearly stipulated. A time limit of six months is also allowed for exercising option. If no option is exercised within the period of six months from the date of order revising the scale of pay, the Government servant will be deemed to have opted for the scale with effect from the date of effect of the pay revision and pay fixed on that basis by the officer competent to fix the employees pay. It has come to the notice of Government that employees are still continuing in the pre-revised scales of pay after the implementation of the 9th pay revision orders. The continuance of pre-revised scales of pay by employees is against the fixation rules stipulated in the respective pay revision orders issued by Government causing much administrative inconvenience.

The undersigned is directed to refer to your letter No. I/5(f) dated 14.11.2012 and to state that as per the extant instruction contained in Board's letter dated 23.10.2008 and 12.12.2008, woman railway employees having minor children may be granted Child Care Leave by an authority competent to grant leave for a maximum period of two years (i.e. 730 days) during their entire service for taking care of upto two children whether for rearing or to look after any of their needs like examination, sickness etc. and that Child Care Leave cannot be demanded as a matter of right.

Subject:- Continuation of ad-hoc appointment in the grade of Assistant of CSS - regarding.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s OM of even number dated 02.07.2012 on the subject mentioned above, vide which Cadre Units were permitted to continue ad-hoc appointments in the grade of Assistant upto 31.12.2012.

Welfare of Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities – Revision of Scholarship under Post-matric Scholarship Scheme to Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities for the year 2012-13 – Orders Issued.

Read: From the Commissioner of Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities letter No.D1/1420/2012, dated.14.5.2012.

ORDER:- The Government of Tamil Nadu is implementing various Education oriented welfare schemes for the upliftment of poor Backward Classes/Most Backward Classes/Denotified Communities students. Of these schemes, sanction of Scholarship is one of the major scheme implemented by the Department of Backward Classes and Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities to enable the Backward Classes/Most Backward Classes/Denotified Communities students to continue their Education without much financial hardship. Under the Scholarship schemes implemented by this Department, the Postmatric Scholarship is one of the scheme sanctioned to the poor Backward Classes/Most Backward Classes/Denotified Communities students.

1. Why should an employer register his/her establishment on the EPFO Employer portal? With effect from 01.04.2012, any remittance to be made by the employer has to be done only after generating challan from the Employer Portal of EPFO. In case of wage month March 2012 onwards, the employer has to upload Electronic Challan cum Return (ECR) in the pre specified format and challan will be populated on the basis of uploaded return. For previous and other dues the challan has to be filled in online to generate and print it for remittance.

2. What happens if the employer does not register? The online generation of challan will not be possible if the employer has not registered his/her establsihment. The employer has to register and create his/her user id & password for accessing the Employer Portal of EPFO.

3. Once the employer enters his/her establishment id a message is displayed ‘No record found”. What should he/she do? Please check whether you have entered the correct code number and extension number, if any and have selected the correct EPFO Office. If correct, then please contact the concerned EPFO Regional/Sub Regional Office.

While recommending upgradation of all existing Group 'D' employees to Group 'C’ in Grade Pay Rs. 1800 (equivalent to Group 'C’ scale of Rs. 2750-4400), 6th CPC in para 3.7.9 of its report has provided that job description of the Group ‘D' posts shall be so upgraded and placed in Group C’, and revised and re-defined with emphasis on multi skilling so that a single employee is able to perform various jobs. Further, DOP&T in their OM dated 30-04-2010 has suggested that single designation may be adopted for posts whose duties are similar in nature. While indicating that designation of Multi-Tasking Staff may be adopted for some common categories of posts (designation and indicative list of duties issued by DOP&T vide their letter ibid is enclosed as Annexure-I).

The undersigned is directed to state that with a view to improve the functioning of CGHS and ensure optimum utilization of available manpower resources, it has been decided to revise the timings of CGHS Wellness Centres from the present timings of 7.30 AM to 1.30 PM to the new timings of 9.00 AM to 4.00 PM.

2. The CGHS Wellness Centres in New Delhi which are currently functional for 24 hours, will continue to function as usual in shifts.

3. The diagnostic laboratories and yoga centres functioning in the CGHS Wellness Centres will open at 8.00 AM and close at 3.00 PM.

Sub:- Procedure for refund of money Deposited to GPF Account or Suspense Head of Account in respect of the Officers of All India Services covered under New Pension Scheme.

This Department vide Notification No.1069-F(Y) dated 03.02.2012 prescribed the procedures for the implementation of the ‘New Pension Scheme’ [NPS] of the Government of India applicable for the All India Service [AIS] Officers borne on West Bengal Cadre on or after 01.01.2004.

In paragraph 1(c) of the said Notification it was stated that “On amendment of the All India Service (Death cum Retirement Benefit) Rules, 1958 and the All India Service (Provident Fund) Rules, 1955,the benefits of the Defined Benefit Pension and General Provident Fund shall not be available to the new recruits. The AIS Officer who is covered under NPS but so far Contributed to General Provident Fund/or any other fund or account, his entire contribution to the General Provident Fund Accounts/ or any other fund or account shall be refunded to him by the concerned DDO in consultation with the DTA and Office of the Pr, A.G.(A&E) WB and that amount may be deposited by the concerned AIS Officer for payment of backlog Contribution to the NPS.”

(a)&(b) Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has received proposals of Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) from BSNL and MTNL. Both Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) have prepared their proposals with a view to reduce manpower expenses. The VRS proposal of BSNL and MTNL aims at reduction of 1,00,000 and 21,000 employees respectively. Both PSUs will be able to manage with reduced staff by way of greater utilization of Information Technology and re-engineering of business processes in tune with the current business environment.

(c) During the last five years, BSNL has recruited 48 Deputy General Managers (DGMs), 628 Junior Accounts Officers (JAOs), 4171 Junior Telecom Officers (JTOs) and 7213 Telecom Technical Assistant (TTAs). The appointments are not in excess of BSNL’s requirement.

The unearthing of a scandal in the disbursal of scholarship amount to school students of Scheduled Castes in Namakkal district a few months ago has prompted the State Government to decide that the money would hereafter be transferred to the savings bank accounts of beneficiary-students.

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa gave an instruction to this effect at the recent conference of Collectors and Police Officers, a senior official said.

As part of the Chief Minister’s direction, 2.5 lakh eligible students, studying in government and government-aided schools, would be covered. The basic savings accounts would have to be opened in banks so that the amount due to the students would be transferred directly. In case some students have SB accounts in post offices, they can also be covered.

Sunday, December 23, 2012

The Income-Tax Department allows you to claim exemption from tax on leave travel allowance only twice in a block of four calendar years.

With the year end approaching, are you planning a vacation to use up the Leave Travel Allowance (LTA) your office offers? Good idea! But while you’re planning and packing for that holiday, spare a thought for what LTA means for your taxes. With that in mind, here are three aspects about LTA that you should keep note of.

EXEMPTIONS

First and the most important is the tax exemption angle. If you have been thinking that the amount you get as LTA is tax-free all the time, you are not correct. The Income-Tax department allows you to claim exemption from tax on this amount only twice in a block of four calendar years.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Subject:- Regarding counting of adhoc service towards seniority and ACP scale in the cadre.

I am directed to invite your attention to the subject cited above and to say that on the issue of counting of adhoc service and work charged service towards seniority and the benefit of additional increments on completion of 8/18 years service higher standard pay scale after 10 & 20 years service and for the purpose of ACP scale, the following memorandum/instructions have been issued: -

File No.12035/18/94-Pol.II (Journalists) Government of India Directorate of Estates Nirman Bhawan New Delhi

Dated, 19.12.2012.

Office Memorandum

Subject: - Review of guidelines for allotment of Government accommodation to Journalist and Press-cameramen.

The undersigned is directed to refer this Directorate’s OM of even number dated 19.11.2001 vide which revised guidelines for allotment of Government accommodation to the Journalists and Press Cameramen were circulated. The matter has been further considered by the Government and it has been decided to revise limit of emoluments for Journalists/Press-cameramen Category- I and category- II. Accordingly para 1(b) (i) to (iii) of this office OM of even number dated 19.11.2001 has been substituted as under: -

References have been received from Zonal Railways seeking clarification as to what Grade Pay would be admissible under MACP Scheme to an employee holding feeder post in a cadre where promotional post is in the same Grade Pay.

To The Deputy Commissioner, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, All Regional Offices.

The Director, ZIETs

Subject: - Re-opening of Kendriya Vidyaloyas after Winter Break-reg.

Madam/Sir,

This office has been approached by various Regional Offices of KVS and some VVIPs with regard to re-opening of KVs after Winter Break on 14th January, 2013. The Winter Break will be over on 13th January, 2013 (Sunday) and 14 January, 2013 is being celebrated as Pongal/Makar Sankranti etc.

No.36035/6/2012-Estt.(Res.) Government of India Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Department of Personnel and Training

North Block, New Delhi dated 14th December, 2012

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject : Reservation for Persons with Disabilities — reg.

This Department had issued instructions vide O.M. No.36035/3/2004- Estt.(Res.) dated 29.12.2005 regarding reservation for Persons with Disabilities, which are in line with the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 (PwD Act, 1995).

2. It has been brought to the notice of this Department that the Ministries/Departments are not complying with the instructions of this Department regarding reservation to Persons with Disabilities in posts/services under the Central Government, particularly instructions related to carry forward of the unfilled reserved vacancies, interchange among the three categories of disability and lapsing of unfilled reserved vacancies.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

As per information received from various Ministries/ Departments, the Group- wise representation of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in Central Government services as on 1.1.2011 is as under:-

Groups

Numbers of OBCs

Percentage of OBCs

A

5357

6.9

B

13,897

7.3

C

3,46,433

15.3

(erstwhile) D

81,468

17.0

Reservation to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in Central Government services is provided at the rate of 27% in case of direct recruitment on all India basis by open competition. In case of direct recruitment on all India basis, other than by open competition, reservation for OBCs is provided at the rate of 25.84%.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

The central government should set up the seventh pay commission and pump in Rs 50,000 crore over the next five years to revive the ailing railways. This was among the 38 demands put forth by the All India Railwaymen's Federation (AIRF). AIRF also demanded that over 2.5 lakh posts under various categories in Indian Railways be filled up.

Addressing a conference here on Tuesday, ahead of the 88th annual general conference of AIRF, general secretary Shiva Gopal Mishra said the basic pay should be increased by at least 50% in the next pay commission. He slammed the Union finance ministry for delaying the funds being granted to the railways and said several demands were accepted by the railway board, but have been kept pending by the finance ministry. Mishra warned that if the government fails to adhere to the demands of the railway men, then they would resort to a strike.

The undersigned is directed to convey the approval of the Union Cabinet for doubling the existing rate of payment of HPCA/PCA to all eligible Group ‘C’ & ‘D’ employees working in Hospitals, Dispensaries and Organisations w.e.f 1/9/2008.The amount of HPCA/PCA would be automatically raised by 25% every time the Dearness Allowance on the revised pay structure goes up by 50%. This is subject to the following terms & conditions:-

Under the Schemes of ‘Free Coaching for Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes Students’ and ‘Coaching for Scheduled Tribes’ central assistance is provided to reputed institutions/centres run by the Central/State Governments / Union Territory Administrations, Universities, Public Sector Undertakings, Central State Universities, Registered Private Institutions, NGOs etc. for providing coaching for various examinations conducted by Union Public Service Commission, Staff Selection Commission, various Railway Recruitment Boards, State Public Service Commissions, Banks, Insurance Companies and PSUs and for Premier Entrance Examinations for admission in Engineering, professional courses like Management and Law, etc.

Central Assistance released under the Scheme and number of beneficiaries covered for the last three years and the current year is:

The following Schemes are implemented by this Ministry for the upliftment of Other Backward Classes (OBCs):

(i) Pre-Matric Scholarship to the students belonging to OBCs; (ii) Post-Matric Scholarship to the students belonging to OBCs; (iii) Construction of Hostels for OBC Boys and Girls; and (iv) Assistance to Voluntary Organisations for the welfare of OBCs.

The Rajya Sabha on Monday (December 17, 2012) passed the Constitution (One Hundred Seventeenth Amendment) Bill, 2012. The Bill proposes to amend the Article 16 (4A) of the Constitution of India. The existing Article 16(4A) provides for reservation in promotion to the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and the Scheduled Tribes (STs) which are not adequately represented in the Govt. services. The proposed amendment would amend Article 16(4A) in such a manner that it would obviate the need of collection of quantifiable data about adequacy of representation and backwardness of the class for reservation in promotion to the SCs and the STs.

The Government had introduced a Constitutional Amendment Bill in the Rajya Sabha during the last session so that the SCs and STs may continue to get reservation in promotion as in vogue now.

As a part of the affirmative action, reservation in promotion had been available to the SCs and STs since 1955. However, some of the decisions of the Supreme Court cases such as in Indra Sawhney, Veer Pal Singh Chauhan and S.Vinod Kumar cases had caused certain effects on the scheme of reservation in promotion for SCs and STs. To overcome these effects, four Constitutional amendments, namely, 77th,81st, 82nd and 85th amendments were effected.

Subject: Promotion of LDC as UDC of Central Secretariat Clerical Service (CSCS) on ad-hoc basis- Continuance of Ad-hoc appointments regarding.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s O.M. of even number dated 28th June, 2012 whereby cadre units were permitted to continue the ad-hoc appointments in the UD Grade of CSCS up to 31.12.2012 and to say that the continuation of the ad-hoc appointments in the U.D grade made by the cadre units has been reviewed in this Department. Since availability of regular UDCs through normal modes of recruitment prescribed under the CSCS Rules may take some more time, it has been decided that the period of ad-hoc appointment of those UDCs who already have been working as UDC on ad-hoc basis in the UD Grade of CSCS may be extended up to 30th June, 2013 or till regular UDCs become available, whichever is earlier.

Sub:- Revision in the rate of Special Allowance in respect of staff working in Central Ticket Checking Squad of Railway Board.

Ref: Board’s letter No. 81/Ticket Checking/2/3 dated 12.05.1981.

The issue of revision in the rate or Special Allowance admissible to staff working in the Central Ticket Checking Squad of Railway Board has been under consideration of the Board for quite some time. It has now been decided to enhance the rate of Special Allowance is respect of staff working in Central Ticket Checking Staff from the existing rates to Rs.200/-p.m. irrespective of Grade Pay w.e.f. 01.09.2008.

The 5th State Pay Commission in its Final Report (II Volume) had interalia recommended revision of pay scale of the post of Tailoring Instructors of the Department of Social Welfare.

In Government Order dated 14.08.2008 read at (3) above, Government had rejected the recommendation of the 5th State Pay Commission for revision of the pay scale of the post of Tailoring Instructors of the Department of Social Welfare.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Describing the twin tasks of improving the pensionary and medical benefits for ex-servicemen as ‘subjects of prime concern’ and ‘as an ongoing process’, the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony today announced that the orders authorizing payment to ex-servicemen and their families accruing from the recent cabinet decisions, hiking pension and other benefits amounting to nearly Rs.2300 crores per annum, would be issued next month.

Addressing a meeting of the Consultative Committee attached to his Ministry, here, Shri Antony said this is the third time in the last four years that the Government have systematically improved the post-retirement benefits for ex-servicemen.

Outlining the slew of measures taken by the MoD for improving the health care benefits of ex-servicemen, Shri Antony said the Government has been trying to expand the delivery mechanism and simplify procedures so that the ex-servicemen, who have given their best years of life for the security of the nation, get the required medical benefits without hassles.

No.7/4/2012-CS.I(A) Government of India Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Department of Personnel & Training

Lok Nayak Bhawan, New Delhi Dated: 17th December, 2012.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Rotational Transfer of Assistant with more than seven years service in the same Ministry/Department.

The undersigned is directed to say that it is proposed to transfer Assistants of Central Secretariat Service who have completed seven years or more in the same Ministry/ Department, as on 1.1.2012. This Department had collected data in respect of those regular Assistants who had completed more than sixteen years of service in the same Ministry/ Department (Annexure-I). The list does not include officers due for superannuation upto 31.12.2014 as officers within two years of superannuation are excluded from the purview of Rotational Transfer Policy applicable to CSS officers.

Monday, December 17, 2012

Central assistance is provided to the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations, under this Ministry`s Centrally Sponsored Scheme of implementation of the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. The Central assistance, inter-alia, includes, a component of incentive for inter-caste marriages, in which one spouse belongs to a Scheduled Caste. The amount of Central assistance released to States/Union Territories, under the aforesaid Scheme, which, inter-alia includes provision for incentive for inter-caste marriages, during 2009-10, 2010-2011, 2011-12 and 2012-13 (upto 12.12.2012), is mentioned, asr:-

Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) is a component of National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP). Under IGNDPS, central assistance of Rs. 300 p.m. per beneficiary is provided to persons with severe or multiple disabilities in the age group of 18-79 years and belonging to a household living below poverty line (BPL) as per criteria prescribed by Government of India.

Working Group on "Empowerment of persons with Disabilities" for the formulation of XIIth Five Year Plan suggested coverage of all persons with disabilities under IGNDPS and grant of pension @ Rs. 500 p.m. to person with disability and Rs. 1000 p.m. to person with severe and multiple disability.

The Government of India has always been concerned about the welfare of downtrodden especially Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. As a part of the affirmative action, reservation in promotion had been available to the SCs and STs since 1955. However, some decisions of the Supreme Court like in Indra Sawhney, Veer Pal Singh Chauhan and S. Vinod Kumar cases had caused certain effects on the scheme of reservation in promotion for SCs and STs. To overcome these effects, the Government had brought four Constitutional amendments, namely, 77th, 81st , 82nd and 85th amendments.

The latest of such judgments was in M. Nagaraj case in which the Supreme Court has laid down some pre-requisite conditions for providing reservation in promotion. These conditions are, namely, assessing the quantum of representation of SCs, STs, there backwardness and effect on efficiency.

The World Bank in its World Development Report 2013 has pointed out that part time and temporary wage employment are now major features of industrialised and developing countries and that in India, the number of temporary workers that employment agencies recruit grew more than 10 percent in 2009 and 18 percent in 2010. Part time work is also on rise in India with the share of informal workers in total employment in organized firms grew from 32 per cent in 2000 to 52 per cent in 2005 to 68 per cent in 2010. The propensity of firms to hire contract workers has increased over time for all firms employing 10 or more workers.

The World Development Report 2013 has also pointed out that when workers move from low-to-high-productivity jobs, output increases and the economy becomes more efficient. Stringent regulations that obstruct such labour reallocation do not sit on the efficiency plateau and affect economic efficiency. Government has taken several steps to provide decent opportunities of livelihood to all those who seek employment.

Provident Fund contribution of private sector labourers covered under the Employees Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 is deposited in the State Bank of India.

As per the provision of Para 52(1) of the Employees` Provident Funds Scheme, 1952, all monies belonging to the Fund shall be deposited in the Reserve Bank of India or the State Bank of India or such other Scheduled Banks as may be approved by the Central Government from time to time. No other Scheduled Bank has been approved by the Central Government for this purpose.

Establishment - Treasuries - Pay and allowances of December 2012 and Pension and Family Pension for January 2013 - Early disbursement in connection with Christmas - Sanctioned - Orders issued.

FINANCE (ESTABLISHMENT- C) DEPARTMENT

G.O(P) No. 678/12/Fin

Dated, Thiruvananthapuram, 12.12.2012.

ORDER

In view of the ensuing Christmas, Government are pleased to order in relaxation of Article 75(a) & (b) of K.F.C Vol l, that the pay and allowances/Salaries of employees of the State Government including full time and part time contingent employees, work establishment staff and N.M.R workers of all Departments and employees of Aided Schools, Colleges and Polytechnics for the month of December 2012 will be disbursed from the Treasuries as scheduled below:-

The Minutes of the meeting held on 2lst November, 2012 at Conference Hall, 5th Floor, Sardar Patel Bhawan, New Delhi with the officers of the Government Departments/Ministries regarding revision of PPOs in respect of Pre-2006 Pensioners/Family Pensioners under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Pension & AR&PG) are circulated herewith.

sd/- (D.K.Solanki) Under Secretary to the Government of India

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 21st November, 2012 REGARDING REVISION OF PPOs FOR PRE-2006 PENSIONERS&FAMILY PENSIONERS INCLUDING PRE-1990 PENSIONERS/FAMILY PENSIONERS.

Friday, December 14, 2012

Due to no response from the Central Govt. to the proposal for a fruitful discussion on a 15-point charter of demands which includes revision of wages from January 01, 2011 by setting up of 7th Central Pay Commission(CPC) and Merger of 50% DA with Pay submitted to the Prime Minister by the Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers on July 26, the latter has warned of a one-day’s all India strike on December 12.

The Confederation’s affiliated federations/unions/associations are organizing a country wide campaign to make the agitation a success. In this context, it is quite relevant to discuss the justification of formation of 7th CPC .

Subject:- Special concessions/facilities to Central Government Employees working in Kashmir Valley in attached subordinate offices or PSUs falling under the control of Central Government-Clarification.

The undersigned is directed to refer to DOPT OM No.18016/3/2011-Estt.(L) dated 27.6.2012 extending the Special concession/facilities to Central Government Employees working in Kashmir Valley in attached/ subordinate offices or PSUs falling under the control or Central Government for the period with effect from 1.1.2012 to 31.12.2012 and to say that this Department has been receiving references seeking clarifications. The doubts raised are clarified as under:-

The undersigned is directed to refer to Staff Selection’s letter No. 10/4/2012-P&P-II dated 06.12.2012 on the subject mentioned above and to request that the vacancy position for Lower Division Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination for Group ‘C’ Staff, 2013 (Grade Pay of Rs.1800) may be calculated as per the provisions of CSCS Rules, 1962, as amended on 08.11.2010. The total number of vacancies falling under DR Quota that are to be abolished in terms of instructions contained in this Department’s O.M. No. 9/2/2003-CS-II dated 20.04.2005 may also be shown against relevant column in the proforma for the sake of filling up of the vacancies against reserved slots.

The undersigned is directed to say that the final result of Lower Division Grade Departmental Competitive Examination for Group 'c' Staff 2012, which was held on 25.03.2012, has been declared by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) for appointment against the 30% DE quota vacancies in LDC grade of CSCS. SSC has allocated 16 qualified candidates to this Department for appointment as LDC (03 SC & 01 ST candidates have qualified on own merit). Nominations of 16 candidates are made against the Select List Year 2012 on the basis of the Lower Division Grade Departmental Competitive Examination for Group 'c' Staff 2012 as indicated in the Annexure to this O.M.

2. The dossiers of the candidates are forwarded herewith and these should be retained on their appointment in the Ministry/Department as part of their personal files. The candidates mentioned in the Annexure have not been medically examined and as such, they should be got medically examined by the prescribed competent authority, if deemed necessary.

Indian Railways has a system of rendering First Aid to any passenger in need. All Rajdhani/Shatabdi Express trains are equipped with Augmented First Aid Boxes. The Augmented First Aid Box contains wide range of medicines and disposable medical material. Front line railway staff in trains is trained to provide necessary first aid.

In addition, services of doctors travelling as passengers are also utilized. Trains make unscheduled halts, if necessary, at the station en-route in emergencies. Railway doctors are available on call at major stations.

Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) has informed that all Insurance Companies functioning in the country are selling their policies online except Agriculture Insurance Company of India Ltd. (AICIL), Export Credit and Guarantee Corporation (ECGC), L&T General Insurance, Raheja QBE General Insurance, SBI General Insurance and Shriram General Insurance.

IRDA has informed that the likely benefits of purchasing policies online are as under:-

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA/BHARAT SARKAR MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS/RAIL MANTRALAYA (Railway Board)

RBE NO: 138 /2012 New Delhi, Dated: 05.12.12

No:E(G) 2008 QR1-15

The General Managers, All Indian Railways & Production Units.(As per standard mailing list).

Sub: Review of retention of Railway accommodation by Railway Officers/staff on their deputation to Railway PSUs.

The instructions issued vide Board’s letter of even number dated 01.11.2010, in regard to retention of Railway accommodation at their previous place of posting by officers/staff on deputation to Railway PSUs have been reviewed by the Board.

The matter regarding grant of financial upgradation under MACP Scheme to those Hindi Officers, who have been initially appointed as Hindi Translators —grade II, after qualifying the Departmental examination, was referred to the Ministry for clarification as to whether, the appointment of such Hindi Translators is to be treated as fresh appointment or promotion, for grant of benefit under MACP Scheme.

In exercise of the power conferred by the explanation to Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (XXVI of 1881), read with Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, Notification No. 20/25/56-Pub(l) dated the 8” June, 1957 the Governor is pleased to declare the following days to be public holidays during the year 2013.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Reservation is available to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes at the rate of 15% and 7.5%, respectively, in all Groups viz. A, B, C (including erstwhile Group D posts) in case of promotion by non-selection method. In case of promotion by selection method, reservation is available in Group B, C and upto the lowest rung of Group A at the same rates.

As regards senior posts of Secretary, Additional Secretary and Joint Secretary in the Central Ministries/Departments, these posts are filled on deputation basis under the Central Staffing Scheme except the posts in the Ministry of External Affairs. Reservation does not apply to posts filled on deputation. The officers borrowed from various cadres including the State Cadres, who are empanelled to hold such posts and who give their option for deputation are appointed under the Central Staffing Scheme. Likewise, the posts of Director (not including the posts in Central Secretariat Service) are also filled under the Central Staffing Scheme.

Government constituted a Committee in July, 2012, headed by Cabinet Secretary for looking into the pay and pension related issues of relevance to Defence service personnel and Ex-servicemen. The Committee submitted its report on issues namely OROP-Bridging the gap in pension, Enhancement of family pension, Dual Family Pension and Family pension to mentally / physically challenged son/ daughter of armed forces personnel on marriage. The recommendations have been accepted by the Government and are in the process of implementation.

The defence ministry on Wednesday took several decisions to ensure ex-servicemen get their pensions in time, stung by criticism over the huge delay in former NSG commando Surender Singh getting all his dues. Anti-graft crusader Arvind Kejriwal had raised the case of Singh, who was injured in the 26/11 terror attacks, last month, forcing the government to admit there had been a considerable delay since the soldier's retirement "paperwork'' had not been completed in time.

At a meeting chaired by defence minister A K Antony, it was decided that 50% of the pension of soldiers who are "invalidated out" or are "war casualties" should be disbursed immediately, pending the completion of retirement/medical board formalities. It was also decided the Army and Navy should follow the IAF's example of the which has established " e-tracking process" to ensure pensions are disbursed in time.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

No.16/13/2012-JCA 2 Government of India Ministry of Personnel Public Grievances and Pensions (Department of Personnel and Training)

North Block, New Delhi Dated the 11 th December, 2012

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Sub: Early Closure of Offices in connection with Republic Day Parade and Beating Retreat Ceremony during 2013.

In connection with arrangements for the Republic Day Parade and Beating Retreat Ceremony, 2013, it has been decided that the Government offices located in the buildings indicated in Annexure-I would be closed early at 13:00 hrs. on 25th January, 2013 (Friday) and buildings indicated in Annexure-II would be closed early at 12:00 Noon on 29th January, 2013 (Tuesday).

Under the pre-matric scholarship scheme for SC/ST students studying in classes IX and X, the rate of scholarship is Rs.150/- per month for day scholar and Rs.350/-per month for hostellers, for a period of ten months in a year and books and ad-hoc grant of Rs.750/- per year for day scholars and Rs.1000/- per year for hostellers. Additional allowance for students with disabilities is also admissible to those who are studying in private un-aided recognized schools.

The National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation (NHFDC) provided loans on concessional rates to the persons with disabilities.

The scheme-wise maximum repayment period is as follows: (i) Self Employment Scheme – 10 years (ii) Micro Credit Scheme – 3 years & (iii) Education Loan Scheme – 7 years. The repayment under education loan scheme commences one year after completion of course or six months after securing a job, whichever is earlier.

NHFDC has delegated sanctioning authority for loan proposals costing upto Rs.5.00 lakh to its State Channelizing Agencies (SCAs). Only the loan proposals with project cost above Rs.5.00 lakh are forwarded by SCAs to NHFDC. In case of Regional Rural Banks, those entered in collaborative tie up with NHFDC for implementation of its schemes and Apex Co-operative Banks, State Financial Institutions acting as SCAs, the sanctioning authority is upto Rs.25 lakh.

A total of 528 posts are lying vacant against the sanctioned strength of 924 in the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. Filling-up of the vacancies is a continuous process and is done in accordance with the laid down procedure.

It is proposed to create a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to replace the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will have adequate financial and administrative flexibility to meet functional requirements of an effective safety oversight system.

While moving the Demand No.31, relating to Information Technology for the year 2012-2013, the following announcement was made in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, among other things:-

2. In this regard, the Chief Executive Officer, Tamil Nadu e-Goverance Agency was requested to send a proposal for implementation of the e-Learning Content for Government Employees and he has forwarded the proposal. The salient features of the proposal on "e-Learning Content”are:

Government of India Ministry of Urban Development DIRECTORATE OF ESTATES

Nirman Bhavan, New Delhi-110 108

No.18011/2/2006-Pol-III

DECEMBER 06, 2012

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: - Revision of rates of damages for unauthorised occupation of General Pool Residential Accommodation.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Directorate/ O.M No.18011/2/2002 Pol-III dated 25th November 2011 on the above subject and to say that the it has been decided to make revision of the rates of damages recovered from unauthorised occupants of General Pool accommodation a regular exercise as a multiple of normal rate of licence fee as given in the Annexure to this O. M. Henceforth, the rate of damages/market rent will automatically get revised as and when the rate of normal licence fee under FR-45-A is revised. In addition to this garden charges as applicable will also be recovered.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Armed Forces personnel who are retained in service despite the disability held attributable to or aggravated by military service are entitled tolumpsum compensation of disability / war injury element at the time of disability.

Those who do not opt for the retention are entitled to disability pension / war injury pension on retirement / discharge. No disability pension / war injury pension is admissible on retirement / discharge once the lumpsum compensation has been obtained by the personnel.

As reported by the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP), Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) amounting to Rs.19.89 crores (US $ 4.12 millions) has been received in defence industry sector from January 2001 to September 2012.

FDI upto 26% under the Government approval route is permitted in Defence Sector subject to specified conditions.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's OM No.18/44/88-Pay-I datel 07.12.2009 on the above subject which provides that the Advance Increments granted to Stenographers of Subordinate Offices on qualifying speed test in shorthand at 100/120 w.p.m. are treated as pay for all purposes.

2. Consequent upon implementation of CCS (RP) Rules 2008, the concept of Pay Bane& Grade Pay has been introduced. Since there are no fixed rates of increments now, the manier in which advance increment(s) are to be computed has been considered in consultation with the Department of Expenditure. The grant of advance increments to Stenographers of Subordinate Offices on qualifying the speed test in shorthand at 100/120 w.p.m. after 1.1.2006 may be regulated as under:-

The General Managers, All Indian Railways/Production Units, (As per standard list).

Sub: Retention of Railway accommodation at the previous place of posting by Railway officers/Staff posted to Rail Wheel Plant (RWP)/Bela ( Dist.Saran, Bihar).

The issue of permitting the Railway Officers/Staff posted at the Rail Wheel Plant (RWP) Bela (Distt. Saran /Bihar) to retain Railway accommodation at their previous place of posting has been considered by the Board.

The quarters of central government employees are set to become bigger and better.

Ahead of the election season, the urban development ministry is planning to not just increase the houses' areas by an average of 25 per cent but also fit them out with modular kitchens and electric chimneys. The last time the housing norms were revised was in 1981.

During Janata Party rule in 1977, the government had asked the central public works department (CPWD) to scale down the sizes of the quarters and the amenities provided. The idea was to build more quarters in less time. A year after the Congress came back to power in 1980, it reverted to the old norms.

"We can say that this is the first time in (over) 30 years that the government is working on improving the living conditions of government employees," a senior CPWD official said.

As per the existing provisions of Minimum Wages Act, minimum wages are revised quinquennially in the Central Sphere. In order to protect the minimum wages against inflation, the Central Government introduced the idea of Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) since 1989. The appropriate Governments are required to increase the minimum rates of wages from time to time by adding VDA, twice a year or annually, taking into account the rise in the Consumer Price Indices for the Industrial Workers. In the Central sphere, the minimum rates of wages are revised effective from 1stApril and 1st October every year.